eLearning
…href="https://publicationethics.org/become-member">become a member of COPE. Multiple modules There are ten modules to choose from, and you are free to complete them in any order. Each module includes case studies and questions so that you can review your knowledge. Some modules may also include audio or video podcasts. Certificate of completion The course does not lead to a formal qualification but you can print…- News
What constitutes authorship? New COPE discussion document
…1.538em;">some basic principles to help prevent common problems, and sets out some of the more thorny issues that have come to light in previous discussions, many of which are discipline-specific and which require more nuanced consideration. - News
Responding to world events: ISMTE webinar
…journal commentary on world events was appropriate, and the consensus that it was when in the context of research and the relevant discipline. Numerous examples were shared on how this can be done, but also how complex these issues are, such as with COVID, border relations between countries, the Black Lives Matter debate etc. Ed made the point that the 'view from nowhere' was a myth, and we… - Case
Blatant example of duplicate publication?
A paper was submitted to one journal on 7 March, revised on 20 May, submitted to another journal on 21 March, revised on 29 May, accepted on 2 July and published in December 1997. The content of both papers is identical but each has different reference styles so were clearly intended for two different journals. The submission letter to the first journal clearly states that the material has not… - Case
Grounds for retraction?
The co-author of a paper has contacted us about a paper he published 5 years ago together with a researcher who has now been convicted of serious professional misconduct by the GMC for research misconduct. The co-author is worried that the paper he co-authored may also be fraudulent. The research was in two parts. The first was analysed by a doctor not convicted of research… - Case
New commercial cure for a common but incurable problem, role of sponsor
A randomised controlled trial was submitted, showing that a new treatment, which is a combination of familiar compounds, is highly beneficial in a common but largely untreatable problem. The authors came from several different countries and included people from the company that manufactures the treatment. The editors had great difficulty finding reviewers for the paper as many simply returned… - Case
Is this previous publication?
Several members commented that publication of a PhD thesis, for example, would not prevent publication of a journal article, provided there was full acknowledgement in both sources and permission had been sought from the university. Most agreed that this is a similar situation. It is not the same as publication in another journal. But the Forum agreed that the editor’s decision does depend on… - Guidelines
Guidance for Editors: research, audit and service evaluations
Regulations regarding what type of study requires ethical approval vary worldwide. In some countries all studies require ethical approval but in others not. This may lead to submission to journals of manuscripts relating to such studies that do not satisfy the journal’s normal requirement for independent ethical approval, and rejection of the manuscript because of misunderstanding of local… - News
COPE position statement on inappropriate manipulation of peer review processes
…their own websites and will be taking the following immediate actions. Articles that have been published solely on the basis of reviews from fabricated contacts will be retracted in line with COPE guidance and authors and institutions involved will be contacted. Publishers are examining their own databases for the presence of fabricated reviewer accounts and contact details and… - Case
Unable to contact authors
A manuscript was submitted to a journal and after the review and revision process, the submitted manuscript was accepted for publication. During the manuscript revision process, the corresponding author was in contact with the journal: answered all of the emails, performed revisions of the manuscript, prepared answers to the comments of the reviewers, etc. When the manuscript was… - Case
Authorship of a commentary
An associate editor invited a commentary to be written by one of the peer reviewers. When the commentary was submitted, the associate editor was a co-author. There could be the appearance of a conflict in the decision to accept the article on which the commentary was based if the associate editor is an author on the commentary. Question for the Forum … Presentations
…padding: 0.3em 0px 0.8em; margin: 0px;">Download PDF (72 kb) Presented by Jeremy Theobald At the conference: Science and Society: Dialogues and Scientific Responsibility Paris, France November 2008 Fraud and misconduct in researchMembership subscription fees
… 51 to 100 £4,248 26 to 50 £2,390 11 to 25 £1,328 5 to 10 £584 Continuous publications Publishing companies that wish to join COPE but do not have a discrete journal product published in intervals…- News
Open retractions data: podcast
…challenges due to varying publisher practices. On the journalism side how do you select which cases to report in Retraction Watch given that retractions could be either misconduct or honest mistake? Retraction Watch will continue with their independent journalism, separate from the database acquisition. The selection process for reporting on retractions has evolved due to the significant… - News
Applications for COPE's Grant Scheme now open!
Have a research project on publication ethics but don't have the funding? Twice a year, COPE offers up to £5000 to any member of COPE for a defined research project that is in the broad area of the organisation's interests. Proposals are now being sought for the second round of funding to be awarded this year (see: - News
3rd World Conference on Research Integrity
The 3rd World Conference on Research Integrity is due to take place in Montréal, Canada between 5 - 8 May 2013. The conference will focus international attention on research integrity, responsible conduct of research, and publication of research. Attendees will have opportunities to learn the current state of worldwide progress on research integrity, discuss new challenges and… - Event
Medical Editors, short course
…formal lectures – active participation is encouraged! A folder containing extensive notes and background reading is also provided. This course is ideal for editors-in-chief, editorial board members and senior managing editors.Further information: http://www.pspconsulting.org/ or [email protected]… EASE/ISMTE joint meeting
COPE will be holding an interactive workshop at the joint meeting of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE) and the International Society of Managing and Technical Editors (ISMTE). In this workshop, a number of cases based on real-life examples brought to COPE, and covering some of the most pressing problems currently faced by editors and journals, will be discussed. Co-Secretary…- Event
ALPSP Publication Ethics Course: Fraud and Misconduct.
…journals publishing. A wide range of ethical issues can arise in academic publishing. These can be caused by misbehaving authors (e.g. committing plagiarism or fraud), by abuse of editorial positions and also by conflicts between publishers’ and societies’ commercial interests and principles of editorial freedom and integrity.